The Phillies are in Denver to take on the Rockies for 3 games to close out their 3-city tour of the Midwest. They are 2-5 on the road trip thus far, which is not surprising given that the Phils are averaging a paltry 3.06 runs per game on the road this season, worst in the majors. On the flip side, they are 23-7 in games in which they have scored four or more runs and were 7-2 versus the Rockies last season.

Opposing the Phillies on the mound tonight will be Juan Nicasio, a 26-year old righty from the Dominican Republic. This will be his first career start against Philadelphia and has just one win in his past eight outings. You may recall back in 2011, he was drilled in the head with a batted ball and fractured a vertebrae in his neck.

Speaking of injuries, Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right rib fracture sustained in yesterday’s game against the Nationals. Utilityman Josh Rutledge was recalled to take Tulo’s place and is hitting .242 in 43 MLB games this season. In addition, two of Colorado’s hottest hitters, Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler, are listed as day-to-day after being injured in yesterday’s game as well.

Pitching for the Phillies is Kyle Kendrick who has has allowed two earned runs or less in 15 of his last 21 road starts dating back to 2011. He is 8-6 with a 2.84 ERA in those 21 starts. Michael Young is 3 RBI away from 1,000 in his career, while Jimmy Rollins has the night off. And finally, vote for Domonic Brown to start the All-Star Game!

This imperial stout is carefully brewed by The Bruery out of Orange County, CA. The jet black beer is aged in bourbon barrels along with cocoa nibs and vanilla bean. It comes in both cans and bottles and has great stats – 19.5% ABV and 99/100 score from Beer Advocate.com. Try one with some grilled venison.

I confess, though…. every time I see Freddie perform like this, I wonder whether he’s juicing again, and I cringe at the thought. I certainly hope he’s not. I like Freddie a lot, and I hope he’s the future of this organization.

Maybe he’s fine – and here’s why, given a conjecture I’ve had. It’s based on whether, if one goes the “juiced” route, any added weight/strength you put on can – through exercise, diet or whatever – be made permanent. If so, let’s say that you’re a Freddie Galvis: great glove; not enough “pop”. With an added 10-15 pounds and the strength that goes with it, that’s the difference maker between being a professional-baseball also-ran … and having a really successful major-league career. You are advised by those knowledgable of such “stuff” that PEDs will make that key difference. Go through some regimen and bulk up with it once – and you don’t have to take maintainance doses or do it again. The penalty if/when caught, you are further advised, is a 50-game suspension – a suspension that hardly puts a dent in your career trajectory and will occur before you even reach the Big Leagues.

A major-league career for so many of these guys, especially from South of the Border, is the difference betweent having a life and total oblivion. If my conjecture holds water (a big “IF” indeed) and I’m a Freddy Galvis type, I don’t think twice: I go for the juice.